Celebrities Team Up for Anti-Bullying Campaigns

In September, five teenage boys killed themselves after being physically or verbally (or both) assaulted for being gay. The suicides of Tyler Clementi, 18, Billy Lucas, 15, Asher Brown, 13, Justin Aaberg, 15, and Seth Walsh, 13, have brought national attention to the epidemic of bullying in American schools.

Now, a number of stars, many of whom have personal experience with anti-gay bullying, are speaking out in hopes of raising awareness and providing support to teens and young adults who are being victimized or who are having trouble dealing with their sexuality. The topic is also addressed in a cover story for this week's PEOPLE magazine and in a week-long series on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360.

Most recently, 'Project Runway' mentor Tim Gunn spoke candidly about his own suicide attempt and his support for The Trevor Project, a national 24-hour, toll-free confidential suicide hotline for gay and questioning youth. "I understand the desperation. I understand the despair," an emotional Gunn said with tears in his eyes. "And I understand how isolated you can feel ... It will get better. I promise."

Following Billy Lucas' death, well-known columnist and author Dan Savage launched the "It Gets Better" campaign – a series of user-created YouTube videos in which gay adults openly discuss the torment they incurred in high school and encourage GLBT youth to stick it out because "it gets better." Clementi's death has inspired an overwhelming response to the campaign, which has since been flooded with videos from men and women across the world sharing their stories.

"When a gay teenager commits suicide, it's because he can't picture a life for himself that's filled with joy and family and pleasure and is worth sticking around for," Savage told MTV a week after Clementi's death. "So I felt it was really important that, as gay adults, we show them that our lives are good and happy and healthy and that there's a life worth sticking around for after high school."

Savage's "It Gets Better" message has seemingly become the rallying cry around which a movement against anti-gay bullying has centered, with Anne Hathaway, Jenny McCarthy, Ian Somerhalder and Kristin Cavallari recording a PSA for The Trevor Project that uses the motto. 'Harry Potter' star Daniel Radcliffe also recently spoke to MTV about the importance of the Trevor Project.

TV stars Ellen DeGeneres and Neil Patrick Harris have also spoken out against anti-gay bullying. "This needs to be a wake up call to everyone ... One life lost in this senseless way is tragic; four lives lost is a crisis," DeGeneres said in an emotional message taped on the set of her daytime talk show. "My heart is breaking for their families, for their friends and for our society that continues to let this happen. These kids needed us, and we have an obligation to change this. We can't let intolerance and ignorance to take another kid's life."

Harris, who is openly gay and will welcome twins via surrogate with his partner of over six years, actor David Burtka, this fall, pleaded with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth to focus on their futures, which he sees as bright and full of possibility. "For the love of Pete, there's no need to harm yourself if something is going bad. You can act with strength, you can act with courage, you can act with class," Harris said in the MTV PSA. "Stand tall, be proud of who you are. This is a good time that we live in, and we're being granted more and more rights. And that's awesome, and it will continue in that direction. Yeah – be proud."

Clementi, a freshman at Rutgers University, jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge after his roommate, Dharun Ravi, 18, allegedly used a web cam in their dorm room to secretly stream a romantic encounter between Clementi and another man. Ravi's alleged behavior inspired disgust from conservative commentator Bill O'Reilly, who, when responding to analyst Gretchen Carlson's assertion on FOX News' 'The O'Reilly Factor' that Ravi and his accomplice, Molly Wei, 18, "are probably good kids who did an immensely stupid thing," said, "I don't believe that. I don't think you can be a good kid and plan that kind of stuff out in the cruel nature that they did ... I think they're bad kids. They're bad kids, and they should have been raised better."

Comedienne Sarah Silverman has inspired some controversy by positing that a national atmosphere of institutionalized homophobia, as exemplified by the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy as well as campaigns for constitutional amendments to ban civil marriage for same-sex couples, are at the heart of this epidemic.

(Warning: Explicit Language)

And former NSYNC singer Lance Bass, who came out as gay on the cover of PEOPLE in 2006, surprised many when he admitted to having been a bully himself. "If people can look at me and see that I was one of those bullies that always made fun of gay people, and I had this huge secret, so there's always a bigger story than what you see."

What has been made abundantly clear -- regardless of personal opinions on the religious and/or moral implications of homosexuality -- is that there is a problem, and no child (no person) deserves to be harassed or made to feel worthless because of who they are. If you or someone you know is suffering in silence, encourage them to get help by visiting The Trevor Project or calling 866-4-U-TREVOR.

Hi, I have three children, my oldest is 24 she is a transgender female to male, we talk and get along very well, however I did struggle in the begining. My youngest is 15 he is gay, however he has not told me because he is afraid. I do love all my children regardless. I do not know how to approach my son to let him know that I already know he is gay, and that no matter what I ove him very much. But I do fear for my kids to be bullied around, I will not put up with it. I just neede to say this out loud. Thank you!

I just wanted to say thank you to you for sharing about your family. I too am a transgender FTM, and I wish my parents had the attitude to me that you have with your children... My parents don't acknowledge anything about who I am, and that can hurt just as much as being told that who I am is wrong...

Hi Pablo, I remembered when i came out to my mom, she said she already knew. I asked her why didn't you say anything and she responded that it wasn't her place to ask or say but she would love me regardless. be open minded loving kind parents and they'll tell you when they're ready.

ALL parents love their children regardless of whether they are gay or straight. SOME parents react badly BECAUSE they love their child and are concerned for them. In time their attitude will soften. In any case it's a tough situation for the parent and the child.

Where do you suppose these kids get this hateful anti-gay message? From their parents. Their parents get it from the church. The church hates everyone who isn't white and straight. Is it any wonder so many people are turning away from the church.

Pablo, try talking about the recent news about the bullying with him. Let him know you are appalled with it and that you would not tolerate it if it was one of your kids being bullied. Talk about how you love your transgendered child. Talk about how, yes, it was difficult at first but that you came to realize that it didn't matter as you love all your children no matter what. Let him know these things and he will feel that he can tell you and probably will.

Put a sock in it Pablo. Everyone has problems. I was bullied by a gay guy who said he could give me the best rim jjob I ever had and he said it right in front of my wife. I almost jumped off a bridge but I got help instead.

I would probably start by letting your son know how much you love him, know matter what, & that his happiness is extremely important to you...and then, simply ask - let's face it, life @ 15 is tough no matter what, & obviously even more so for gay teens. Having a loving, supportive home life that is a safe haven will make a huge difference for your son. Also, by asking you are likely lifting a huge weight off of his shoulders, even if he does not appear to be stressed out. You sound like a wonderful father - I wish the best for you & your family.

pablo i think you should look at your son and say to him you know i love you no matter what you do with your life , and hug him and say just remember one thing nothing in this world will never change the love i have you and he will feel good knowing that and maybe even know you know ,,,,,,,,, be safe god bless you and family , i have a son but he isn't gay but i have 2 girls and no matter what i will always love them the same ,,,,,

Pablo,First of all, ignore all of the ignorant remarks posted here (you know which ones they are). Most importantly, as many have said, just love your kids. Take your son by the shoulders, look him in the eyes, and tell him you love him, NO MATTER WHAT. It is amazing how much that will do. It sounds like you are quite a loving parent. And it's okay to struggle; you were honest about that. What is MORE important is that you are willing to accept and grow WITH your children. God bless you and your family!

I am a gay man...having my mom confront me about my sexuality wouldn't have been very good for the both of us, but just being prepared for him to tell you is good, and just know that he is still your son...he is still the person he was before you realized he is gay. Life will still go on normally if you prepare yourself and can handle it. My mother thought she could and things didn't turn out so well for our relationship, when she realized I wasn't just going to snap out of it. Don't change how you treat him or try to change him. Silent Support goes a long way.